Page 16 of Lycan King's Claim
"It means exactly what I said, leave her be, she clearly had no idea of your father's intentions, and you're punishing her for doing as she is told, by a former king!" she snaps. Xandros's snarl reverberates through the gym, his eyes ablaze with a volatile mixture of anger and frustration.
"And you idiots think she'll fight for my hand?" he roars, his laughter devoid of mirth. "It's fucking suicide!" The weight of his words hangs heavily in the air, the finality of his decision sealing the fate of my shattered hopes.
"Now pack this shit up, and get her back to her fucking room," he orders. He snatches his shirt up off the ground before he storms out, leaving me behind shaken, while everyone stares in shock at what happened.
Adina stands at a distance, her gaze fixed upon the retreating figure of her son, Xandros. Lips pursed with a mixture of concern and frustration, she turns her attention back to me, her piercing eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions I've never seen on her face before. "Get out, both of you!" she growls.
I feel a knot of apprehension tighten within me as Javier and Rehan exchange nervous glances. A sense of vulnerability floods me, amplified by the prospect of being left alone with Adina, who commands an aura of authority that leaves no room for escape.
Rehan's voice trembles as he interjects, a hesitant plea to ease Adina's anger. "Adina, love. Please, this is my fault. Don't take it out on her. She was only following orders," he says, his voice tinged with remorse.
Adina's steely gaze remains fixed upon me, her resolve unyielding. "I said, get out," she snarls at her husband, her words sharp as a blade. Reluctantly, Rehan heeds her command, casting one last worried glance in my direction before leaving, leaving me alone in the presence of this formidable queen.
Adina moves toward the training bag, her movements deliberate and purposeful. I watch her intently, my heart racing with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. She rummages through the bag, retrieving a hair tie before standing upright. My voice quivers with a tinge of uncertainty as I attempt to engage her in conversation.
"Adina, I understand you're upset about me training with your husband—" Before I can finish my sentence, she swiftly swings her hair forward, using one of my hair ties to secure it into a tight bun atop her head. I'm left momentarily bewildered, struggling to grasp the intention behind her actions.
"What are you doing?" I manage to stammer, my eyes fixated on the unexpected transformation unfolding before me. She steps out of her dress, leaving her in nothing but her boy shorts, a thin Cami and bra. Adina's gaze meets mine, her expression firm while also tinged with a hint of amusement.
"Training you," she answers simply, her voice carrying a sense of authority that leaves no room for argument. A flurry of questions swirls within me, seeking answers she doesn’t provide.
"You heard Xandros," I protest, my voice laced with a mix of confusion and apprehension. I glance at the entry in here, worried he'll return any second to drag me back to my room. "He's right, I can't defend myself against him, I stand no chance against a woman who hates me."
Adina offers a knowing smile as she moves toward a mini arena constructed from mats, her steps purposeful and assured. "I did, and you froze. Not because you're no good—because my son scares you." Her words cut through the air, sharp and undeniable.
I have no argument. She sees right through me.
"I've watched you train, saw it on the footage a few times."
"Footage?"
She nods. "Rehan, the bag. That emblem is a camera. He was worried I’d catch him and wanted proof to back up his reasoning. Turns out you and my husband weren’t up to anything sinister." She shrugs, stepping onto the mat. "You’re a quick learner. My husband, however, is afraid of hurting you."
"And let me guess, you're not?" Arms folded, I meet her gaze.
"Don't pretend you wouldn’t enjoy beating me to a pulp. Go for it. I’m giving you permission." She waves me forward.
An eyebrow lifts.
"Don't act like you haven’t thought about it."
"I'm not fighting you, Adina." A shake of my head. She’d use it against me later.
"Maybe Xandros is right. You don’t stand a chance."
I turn fully toward her, arms crossed.
"You’re trying to bait me."
"Is it working?" A wicked smile plays on her lips. "Come on, Sienna. There must be something you want to get back at me for. Me clawing your face, for one."
"Or maybe for putting you in the dungeons? Or letting Carina torment you."
"I'm not doing this with you, Adina."
"Exactly, you're not doing anything at all, just like you didn't do anything when Carina was draped all over his lap, or when he paraded her around like she was made of gold while you were the trash he kicked in the gutter," she mocks.
"No, wonder your uncle sold you, he knew you were a little bitch," she adds. I spin to face her. "Did Xandros tell you that?" I snap at her.
